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Image posted by Blackthorn _
Submitted on Saturday, 17th June 2023
With picture contributions to 5202 other pubs
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Detail Pages
Watchfield Inn, Highbridge
Watchfield
Postal town: Highbridge
TA9 4RD
Served areas
Reviews of Watchfield Inn (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
E TA left this review about Watchfield Inn
Although still family run, the pub has had a substantial renovation which has destroyed any country charm it may have had. It looks traditional from the outside, a Victorian farmhouse-style building with a gravel car park and a large garden, much of which has been turned over to caravans and campers. On entry it feels like stepping into a huge hanger, a large, echoey pace the full height of the building and a very TARDIS-like experience. There is what looks like an oversized brick pizza oven at one side, and the square bar counter is open on all 4 sides. It has the feel of a cheap chain pub, which it isn’t. Staff were friendly, though, and they had one ale, Tribute in fair condition, and one real cider from Riches. There was also a bank of megakeg offerings. Food was also good, basic pub grub at a reasonable price, although the selection of tables and seating arrangements made it difficult to eat comfortably. Fine to drop in if passing or you want to park your road-blocker for the night, but I shouldn't come here regularly as it lacks pub atmosphere and is mainly intended for the grockle trade.
On 22nd June 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Blackthorn _ left this review about Watchfield Inn
A fairly traditional looking country pub in a slightly out of the way location perhaps, but nonetheless only a mile or two from the main A38 and on the way to Mark if you’re coming from the south. There is a beer garden to the right, approximately half of which was under cover and rather usually, a camping site at the rear and there were a couple of motorhomes in on our visit.
Internally, it’s a good-sized pub, predominantly one large open plan room located around a central bar counter, but also with a couple of rooms off to the sides, one of which looked to be more of a dining area, whilst another housed a couple of pool tables. Flooring was some sort of slate tiling, whilst the walls were mostly rough cream plasterwork with some pale green wood panelling down below. There were also some areas of exposed brick, including a conical chimney breast and much of the bar counter. A high vaulted ceiling in front of the bar counter was something of a feature, and there were numerous attractive pieces of wildlife artwork for sale. So far, so good, but overall, I didn’t really take to it, although it’s difficult to pin down exactly why. Certainly, the fruit machines and video jukebox didn’t help, but it also had rather a chavy air to it in my opinion, not helped by a couple of guys lounging around the bar who were not wearing shirts.
Unfortunately, there were no real ales on tap, and not much in the way of keg either come to that, with just Shipyard Pale Ale and Tetley Smooth being the only ones that I spotted. Ciders were dominated by Thatcher’s with no less than seven available – Gold, Haze, Rascal, Cloudy Lemon, Dark Berry, Blood Orange and Rosé. Considering Rich’s Cider are quite literally just a stone’s throw away, I’m surprised they didn’t have more from them, although they did at least have a box of theirs on the bar counter.
On 19th June 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1949 recommendations about 1862 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
stjohn peters left this review about Watchfield Inn
A traditional family run pub built in the 1800's but still retaining the charm of days gone by, Fine ale and superb food not to mention the relaxing atmosphere all making for a great experience.
On 25th April 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
View more reviews of Watchfield Inn (4)
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- Facebook page of Watchfield Inn - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Watchfield Inn - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : Yes - Camping and caravan in garden - last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 30 May 2023 by E TA
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Car Park : Yes last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Darts : Yes last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Dog Friendly : Yes - only at first 3 tables on entry - last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Function Room : No last updated 30 May 2023 by E TA
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 08 December 2007 by Moby Duck
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 30 May 2023 by E TA
- Micropub : No last updated 12 May 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
- Pinball : No last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Pool Table : Yes last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Real Ale : No last updated 19 June 2023 by Blackthorn _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 30 May 2023 by E TA
- Wheelchair Access : No - internal ramps but steps to toilets - last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- WiFi : No last updated 27 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
